T.J.M. III:
A diamond in the rough. That's how I'd describe this B-grade masterpiece by David Webb Peoples (Bladerunner, Ladyhawke, Twelve Monkeys). If you liked Mad Max, you'll like this film. Here's why:
1. Rutger Hauer. Rutger has done a lot of movies - most them are crap. Like, completely. However, the three he did with Peoples (Bladerunner, Ladyhawke, and Salute) are by far the best of them. While he's not much of an actor per se, he's gritty, grizzled, and posesses a certain rugged charisma. A bit like Dolph Lungren really - when he works, he really works, but when he doesn't everything just falls to faeces...
2. The Game. That's what this movie is about, a game played in a post-apocalytpic world. Two teams of five players wearing armour made from whatever they can find and carrying position-specific weapons fight to place a dogs skull on a stake at the opposite end of the field. If that doesn't sound fun and exciting to you I contend that you aren't a man! (This film isn't really one to watch with your wife/girlfriend/mistress). If you don't want to get out and try to play The Game after watching this movie, well, I think maybe you should seek professional help. (In Germany there's actually a real-life league - www.jugger.de!!)
3. Low Budget. This normally means no action and lots of plot. Booorrriiiiinnnnnggggg! Salute is totally the opposite - almost all action and no plot! In fact, the plot only exists so we can get more action and more of the The Game. Who thought up this genius?! Add to this the driving musical score, the present of Max Fairchild (Beau, from the Beaurepairs advertising!), great costuming and continuity (so often undervalued - cf. the farsical Star Wars Ep. II: Send in the Clowns), and you have a real hidden gem.
Rating: RATE!
P.S. This movie comes in two versions, the 90 minute American version which is much more 'heroic' and ends on a big victory scene (this is known as 'The Blood of Heroes'), and the 104 minute 'Salute of the Jugger' which is a better version of the film (and has a 'puff-out' VHS cover - cool!)